A Calculating Heart by Caro Fraser Read Free Book Online Page B

his hand from her face and drew it down across her body between her legs, gasping faintly at his touch. Just as he was wondering whether his back could cope with a lovemaking session on the sofa, or whether he should take her through to the bedroom, the phone trilled next to them.
    ‘Oh, God …’ Camilla reached out a hand.
    ‘Don’t answer it.’ He kissed her again.
    ‘I can’t concentrate.’ She reached out and picked the phone up before he could stop her. He suspected she thought it might be her mother. He rolled away.
    ‘Hello?’ After a second she handed the phone to Leo.
    ‘Leo? It’s Rachel.’
    ‘Rachel.’ Leo sighed inwardly. His ex-wife had exquisite timing. ‘How are you?’
    ‘Not great. But I don’t suppose you are either.’
    You saw the paper.’
    ‘Of course I saw the paper.’
    ‘It’s all rubbish.’ He glanced up as Camilla rose from the sofa, pulling her dressing-gown around her, and left the room.
    ‘Is it?’
    ‘Oh, Christ, here we go … Rachel, you
know
it is. The woman is a fantasist, an obsessive. I had to get an injunction to—’
    ‘No, my only concern is for Oliver.’
    ‘What’s Oliver got to do with it?’
    ‘I’ve had reporters outside the house all day! Beth couldn’t even take him out for a walk!’
    ‘That is regrettable. For that, I am very sorry. But I had no idea any of this was going to happen.’
    ‘Everyone else has to suffer for the appalling indiscretions you commit in your personal life—’
    ‘Rachel, did you ring me up just to have a go at me? I’m very sorry about the reporters. I’m very sorry your name got into the papers. I’m very sorry that she told such god awful lies about myself and Oliver. All in all, I’m very bloody sorry for myself right at this moment. Okay?’ There was silence at the other end. The old story, thought Leo. She had this need to provoke an emotional response in him. It couldn’t be love, so anything else would do.
    ‘What are you going to do?’ Her voice was quieter.
    ‘I’m not going to do a damn thing.’
    ‘But if it’s all as libellous as you say—’
    ‘Thanks for the “if.” Believe me, were I to issue proceedings, we’d all be sorrier in the long run. You, me and Oliver. As a lawyer, you should know that.’
    ‘Yes.’ She sounded even more subdued. ‘
Yes
, you’re right.’ He heard her sigh. ‘It’s so unpleasant. Everyone at work—’
    ‘I know. Believe me, I know. I haven’t had the best day myself.’
    ‘You still manage to find yourself a little feminine consolation, I notice.’
    ‘Rachel—’
    ‘Sorry.’ She was struggling with something. Tears? Anxiety? He had no idea. She always wound herself up by calling him like this, these futile exchanges … ‘Look,’ she went on, ‘can we meet up for lunch sometime soon?’
    ‘If you like. I intend to keep a low profile for the rest of this week, but perhaps we can do something the following week. I’ll have a look in my diary and let you know. By the way, I take it I’m having Oliver this weekend?’
    ‘Yes. Can you pick him up before ten on Saturday? Charles and I are going to France for the weekend.’
    ‘Right.’ Leo was momentarily surprised by this. ‘I thought you and he—’
    ‘That’s something I’ll tell you about when I see you.’
    ‘Fine. And look – I’m sorry about the publicity, this wretched woman. The last thing in the world I want is for you and Oliver to suffer.’
    ‘I know.’ She sighed. ‘It’s far worse for you. I only hope it isn’t going to damage your practice.’
    From the maintenance point of view, I’ll bet you do, thought Leo. ‘No, I hope not. Bye.’
    ‘Bye.’
    He hung up the phone and leant back, closing his eyes. He was aware of Camilla snuggling up next to him. He remained as he was, letting her unfasten his shirt, then the waistband of his trousers. ‘Shall we pick up where we left off?’ said Camilla, parting her robe and kissing him.
    A few moments ago he would have